The merging of the library catalogues of the Edgewood College of Education Library and the University of Natal, Durban Libraries: lessons learnt.

Abstract:

Mergers of higher education institutions in South Africa have had a significant impact on the higher education sector. Unfortunately, libraries are not often regarded as a key component in a merger between two institutions. Rather as a result of the merger, libraries have to find how they fit into the broader picture. Very little research has been published in terms of the effects these mergers have had on library catalogues. In this study, the merging of the library catalogues of the Edminson Library at the Edgewood College of Education in Pinetown and the E.G. Malherbe Library of the University of Natal on the Durban campus was researched to determine how these library catalogues were merged and how successful this process was. To meet the objectives of this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the major role-players who were involved in, or affected by this process. Considering that this was the first time that a study of this nature pertaining to the merger of library catalogues was conducted in South Africa, a literature review was conducted to investigate similar studies involving library catalogue mergers. Important themes from the literature were identified. Unpublished material such as minutes of meetings and annual reports formed an integral part of the information gathering process. An analysis of the information collected at the interviews was done through content analysis. The evidence from all these sources finally resulted in conclusions and the lessons learnt throughout the process of the merger.
It was found that the merging of library catalogues should never be underestimated in terms of complexity and the volume of work involved. The merging of library catalogues involves extensive commitment of senior staff and must be organised to ensure that the service to existing users is not hampered during the procedure. The findings indicated that, while there had been a lack of appropriate management of the merger both employees and management had learnt from, and developed in, the process. The merging of library catalogues seldom occurs more than once in a librarian's term of office and therefore it is imperative that managers involved in this process ensure that they do it right the first time. Library catalogue mergers do not necessarily lead to savings, which is contrary to what is sometimes assumed by the initiators of mergers. The lessons learnt and the recommendations made can be used for future library catalogue mergers.